Review Semi Final, 2021 - Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs [Moratorium on negative opposition posting]

[Gibbo_88]

I didn't think the umpiring robbed us of the game but they may have got 2-3 that weren't there. I thought the dogs got some 50/50 ones in the 2nd and 3rd that we didn't but we had the opportunity to win and we didn't. The two that were clearly incorrect was the Bont mark and the big O handball. I'm pretty sure Bailey ran too far for his goal as well.

Noticed in the first quarter on 2 occasions that Fullarton was being directed where to run by his teammates which just shows how important his role is to our structure and that he's just not there yet. He's not a clean mark of the footy either, any body contact and the ball bounces straight off his hands. I recall him being a good mark in his first few games?
We need players like him to really improve this off season otherwise our structure will look B grade again with any key forward injuries. Needs a big pre season of marking the ball against guys like Adams and Andrews and he will be ok for us.

 

[T Rick]

It must have been edited but straight after the game on the Fox Sports report it said something like "there were a number of soft free kicks paid and none of these umpires should be involved in the preliminary finals next week".

Greg Davis had the following to say in his match report:
"Essendon supporters were irate at a number of umpiring howlers in the sudden-death final against the Bulldogs in Launceston last week. The Gabba faithfull were revolting on Saturday when the Dogs received 10 free kicks to Brisbane's four in the second term. Some were there - despite the passionate protests of some of the Brisbane supporters - but a few were very soft calls against the Lions. In short, they had a shocker. None of the officials at the Gabba should figure in the premliminary finals".

 

[Big Sauce 21]

 

[mpal6]

My lovely kids with brilliant, awesome craft work gifts . I look forward to 2022 now !

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Matt Stevic is also a Bulldog Life member going by his wiki page

 

[BrisVegasDru]

We were probably asking him to play a contested marking type game which isn't his strength... Disappointing game but not a massive fail for me

Kicked at least 1 goal in every game except Melbourne final, was great when we had Hippy & McStay, not really a true power forward you park in the goal square though, that's not his strength.

 

[Jivlain]

Matt Stevic is also a Bulldog Life member going by his wiki page

Ah, the free encyclopedia, that anyone can edit.

And does.

 

[On the quiet]

I have not been that seething after the game since the semi loss to GWS. It was a disgrace.

How's the luck to lose Payne again, (altho I thought McCarthy was a little reckless) and then Berry tackling another player. Plus a few horrible bounces and some great ones for them (Bailey Smith toe poke between 2 Brisbane defenders sitting for him perfectly instead of running away for a behing anyone?) Made all the difference in the end.

Probably the first game where I can rattle off at least 7-8 instances of terrible umpiring decisions from memory. Most resulting in scores to them aswell. It is a wonder how they get such a rub constantly. Also hate the look of their handballing technique and that Weightman bloke is really trying to get a name for himself as the biggest rat of the finals.

But we really lost the ascendancy of the ruck contest after the first quarter, English did a good job of nullifying McInerny and then that stopped our clean possession out of the middle. After that we barely looked like scoring. I think the commentators said we kicked 4 of our 6 first half goals in a 5 minute period. Which shows to me we weren't really ontop for most of the game.

I'm not sure how we rectify that midfield group, getting some bigger guys in around there will help and the bulldogs are a pretty tall midfield unit. Does the Lyons and Neale combo work? Are they too similar to be in there together? The amount of forward spread from the dogs at center bounces was clear we couldn't go with them. We have a few bigger bodies we can move in there next year like Starcevich, Berry, Rayner, Cockatoo, lots to give us a different look but none are really what I would call fast. Will have to see how we can shuffle the decks for 2022.

Final word is a massive shout out to Coleman. Was very damaging off half back and bit do we need another option. He opened up Rich and Birchall to be more free and got a lot of the pill himself. A lock for 2022 there all season.

Its a tough one with Lync, risk v reward. On reflection I probably think Lync was a tiny bit reckless as well. We love him taking the big high mark (that's footy) but this was no where near the 50 and low reward taking a crash pack mark with a team member already standing there. Lynch was never guaranteed of taking the mark either, but what he did was also bring in two other dogs defenders into the contest. If it was inside the 50 I believe Lync should absolutely go for it. On the reply Payne looked like he had out positioned his opponent waiting for the ball drop. Watched Fox reply this morning, and Tom Morris mentioned that he had been taken to hospital, have to assume the head gash was fairly deep and could not be stitched in the sheds

I just really loved the game of Coleman, it is so good to see him backed in by the coaches and no doubt half back line is his spot. I think Birchall has to now retire so we can create a list spot for another young person to see if they can contribute in a few years. Coleman is now a lock and can assist Rich with those penetrating kicks and Coleman can add some run out of the backline.

Like everyone just feel flat today but I have liked a lot of positives post that reflect how well our last few years have been and we still will be a strong team with good players to come back in 2022.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

View attachment 1226914

Ah, the free encyclopedia, that anyone can edit.

And does.

It's always a good read on officials after controversial games.

 

[Back2Back2Back]

Matt Stevic is also a Bulldog Life member going by his wiki page

Yeah someone's a bit salty:

"In 2016, Stevic narrowly missed out on the Norm Smith medal for best on ground in the Grand Final after he led the Bulldogs to victory over the Sydney Swans."

 

[H2F]

Commiserations about your loss, it sucks hard. I still remember our 2001 prelim loss when Goldspink paid them 5 free kicks in front of goal, of which 4 were not there at all and the 5th soft. He cheated plain and simple, but nothing healed the pain and anger except for time and premierships.

If it’s too raw just say so but I’m so curious to ask about Joe Daniher. From the outside in he is someone who doesn’t belong in your side. He doesn’t put his body on the line, he doesn’t care about his defensive game, he appears to be a player who might get a few cheapies but ultimately is a liability.

Fagan will likely be regretting the move of him to Brisbane, he just doesn’t suit your team. What do you guys think, am I being too hard on him?

 

[Section 5]

Well 2021 footy is now over for the boys.
They gave me and hopefully all who attended the Gabba this year an overall joyous feeling after leaving the ground
We only lost two games at the Gabba in 2021. The first (Sydney) and last being the Dogs Saturday evening.
They gave us fans some exciting times during the year especially the last 2 weeks
You could not script the last two weeks if you tried
Dogs lose round 23 by 2 points to possibly lose 4th spot to Lions. Dogs were leading the competition @ round 19
Lions then get a big enough win, but by only 1 point to snatch 4th spot from Dogs in front of big screaming crowd at the Gabba
This week set up the showdown as to who would be the 4th best team and advance
Who would have thought that our own players Cockatoo & McCarthy would take out 2 KPF two weeks in a row. Early in both games just to make it worse
Then the actual event last night. A 1 point loss would be devastating to the playing group. Not just the ones on the ground
Lost Payne (28% TOG) to friendly fire. Berry went down after playing only 31% TOG so 1 rotation down for 69% of the game
Disappointing result for us but i feel the overall sentiment from fans through Australia & the AFL that the game was a showcase of AFL finals

Getting to and winning the GF is what all clubs try each and every year. But it should not be the be all and end all for clubs and fans
Being successful over a fair period of time is what most clubs should want
Secures your future with sponsors, players, coaches and of course membership
Also don't forget we did win the AFLW premiership in 2021

Great times during the last 3 years boys, and hopefully we go better in 2022

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Caro was pretty positive about the Lions this morning and she isn't always our biggest fan. Kornes of course can only talk about the Dogs and how the best four teams are in the prelims. Nothing new there.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Stay positive everyone. The future is still bright and the pain will subside.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

I was a critic of the Fullerton selection-felt he was OK. I have never said a bad word about Lachie but very disappointed he ran over to take the snap which other wise would have taken by Charlie. Little thing but a tad selfish I thought-unlike him.

 

[H2F]

Umpires want a 2016 repeat.

As an Essendon supporter who witnessed the greatest ever cheating event in AFL history (the 2001 Hawks Bombers prelim) you really shouldn’t talk.

But as a Hawk who has copped that along with a decade of incredibly favoured Geelong games and finals I feel for you guys.

The thing that infuriated me most is that they haven’t paid a dropping the ball decision for about 5 years and last night decided to pay every single one they saw by a Bulldogs tackler. Why now?

they talk about integrity but it’s hard to watch games like that and not wonder. It’s not a Vic ca interstate thing, it’s more certain teams and players get a better run more often than not. I’ve never watched a Geelong final when they didn’t get the rub of the green hard. I also remember playing the Dogs in a final in 2016 and we laid almost 100 tackles for 2 holding the ball decisions. Clarko went apeshit as it was our gameplay against them and the umpires gave us no chance. Then tonight you put an arm on your guys, ‘dropping the ball’.

 

[RU_]

I was a critic of the Fullerton selection-felt he was OK. I have never said a bad word about Lachie but very disappointed he ran over to take the snap which other wise would have taken by Charlie. Little thing but a tad selfish I thought-unlike him.

He did try to give it to Charlie though!

 

[PTizzle]

Fagan will likely be regretting the move of him to Brisbane, he just doesn’t suit your team. What do you guys think, am I being too hard on him?

Yeah, definitely too hard in my opinion. He has exceeded my expectations this year - played every game (after 15 in the 3 years prior), kicked 46 goals. I think importantly he combines well with McStay and Hipwood (even if we haven't 100% worked out the optimal use of that combination). I was a little hesitant about getting him due to his body and he does do some frustrating things but overall very happy and I'd be shocked if Fagan regretted it in the slightest. He didn't have much of an impact in the finals but our structure was totally thrown out and he wasn't alone.

I'd like to see some more defensive effort/general intensity from him but I think otherwise he's just a player who will be freakish and frustrating in equal measure.

 

[Lion_LegacyXL]

 

[jonnobackpocket]

He did try to give it to Charlie though!

He didn’t need to rush over and grab it in the first place- Charlie was right there. Anyway doesn’t matter I just thought it was odd. That is Charlie’s jam.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

I didn't like what I saw from Daniher. Think he summed it up well. Plays for himself.

 

[mattsmob]

If it’s too raw just say so but I’m so curious to ask about Joe Daniher. From the outside in he is someone who doesn’t belong in your side. He doesn’t put his body on the line, he doesn’t care about his defensive game, he appears to be a player who might get a few cheapies but ultimately is a liability.

He might not be a genuine number 1 key forward in a premiership team but I think Hipwood can and will be that, on the flip side if he gets the second best key defender he could be the most damaging forward on the ground.

 

[Sanchez365]

Not McCarthy's fault at all, on the replay you can see the knee to the head was on the way down just Payne's head was in the wrong place at the wrong time, complete accident

I know it was on the way down, but it seemed like McCarthy was a bit too keen to make the contest when he probably should of slowed down and protected Payne a bit instead of launching.

Easy to say from an armchair with a beer in my hand but and still stupidly unlucky.

 

[H2F]

I watch football to enjoy it, but time after time the bulldogs get these weirdly umpired matches where the vast majority of the decisions just happen to go their way. It can't be a coincidence and it's starting to ruin my enjoyment of the sport. Hopefully enough people kick up a stink and the AFL does something about the umpiring, instead of sweeping it all under the carpet.

Bad luck guys, really feel for you tonight. Hope you get a good run with injury in 2022 and give it a real shake next year.

Geelong get a far bigger ride. Read the 2007 GF thread on here, 2008 GF thread, 2009 and 2011 GF threads as a startling point. You’ll read hundreds of pages just like this.

It sucks but it’s not just the Dogs.

Lions always cop it though, I remember their threapeats and how they played against 19 players.

 

[RU_]

Mitch Robinson

5

Mitch Robinson

Age

35

Ht

184cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.9

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

8.7

5star

M

4.1

4star

T

4.7

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

15.8

4star

K

11.3

4star

HB

4.5

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

1.9

3star

CL

1.8

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.6

5star

is biting his tongue on social media. Let rip Mitch!